Recycling with ‘increased vigilance’
But with ‘increased vigilance’ amid pandemic
There are always unsung heroes in times of crisis, some overlooked and often too many to name. Count the folks in the waste removal industry, which continues to take away your trash and recyclables amid a pandemic.
And you can help these essential workers simply by being more careful about what you’re putting out for collection — especially in the recycling container.
“We’re asking for increased recycling vigilance from customers and residents,” said Matthew Cougle, chief operating officer for Cougle’s Recycling Inc. in Hamburg.
“Understand what gets put in the bin may need to be handled by somebody.”
Same as any other business, recycling centers are trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many armed employees with masks and hand sanitizer and enacted social distancing protocols before the state mandated.
Some of the biggest challenges the occupation faces are not posed by co-workers, however.
It’s coming into contact with your junk.
“It doesn’t get much more more front line than what we do,” said Frank Sau, director of communications for J.P. Mascaro & Sons, which has a recycling center in Exeter Township.
If you’re doing your part to flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible, the population at large thanks you. If you want to help save the environment by recycling while doing it, CRI wants you to be more mindful than ever about what goes inside that blue bin.
A person’s safety might be at risk.
“One of the challenges with the recycling industry in general is contamination,” said Cougle, referring to garbage and non-recyclable materials that need to be separated.
“Those things make people handle the recycling more,” said Cougle.
On its website, CRI asks that you don’t mix trash with recycling and to empty and rinse containers of any debris when possible.
Cardboard and paper products left out for recycling should also be placed in a container, or some haulers may decline to take it.
And if a person who’s selfquarantining at home either with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or suspected contact with the virus has recycling, maybe don’t put it out for collection just yet.
“Please keep that in mind when disposing of recyclables,” said Cougle. “Multiple cities have asked if you are in quarantine, hold on to them for at least a period of time, or throw them in the garbage because there’s no sorting involved.”
Though nobody is going to dig through the trash, J.P. Mascaro & Sons still requests you take care to bag it and put it inside a container to minimize potential contact with another person.
“When you throw things in the can, it’s sort of forgotten about,” said Sau. “If we can get our customers to tidy it up, throw it in a bag and tie it so when our crew comes around, they can just lift the can, dump it and be on to their way.”
Making the world and the job a better place
Recycling centers aren’t simply putting the onus on customers to protect their workers.
For its truck drivers, CRI put together packages with hand sanitizers, rubber gloves and masks and instructs them to adhere to social distancing protocols. Inside the facility, sorting lines are rearranged to create distance, in some cases using plexiglass barriers to separate people.
It’s important work here continues, because recycling isn’t just a business.
It’s life-sustaining.
“I have a sense of pride in our employees coming in every day during this time given some of the concerns,” said Cougle. “Doing what they’re doing to provide that service and keep the material flowing.
“The waste and recycling industry isn’t looked at like a grocery store or hospital, but it’s definitely essential waste is removed. Not only from residences, but from grocery stores, hospitals and other essential businesses.”
J.P. Mascaro & Sons is following all coronavirus safety guidelines as well, providing signage and constant reminders for employees to stay healthy.
The Audubon, Montgomery County-based company also has a daily lunch program, supplying free meals to all 850 of its employees across 12 counties.
The idea behind the program is twofold: support a struggling restaurant industry while simultaneously keeping workers out of harm’s way.
“It lowers the amount of time the employees are out,” said Sau. “They don’t need to be going into businesses when they’re on a route.
“No unnecessary trips. Just do what needs to be done and return home safely.”